By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The spiritual leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has appointed 107 envoys to various countries, including Russia, Venezuela, DR Congo, as part of efforts to preach peace and expand the global presence of the faith.
The appointments, which include postings to several conflict-prone and strategic nations, come ahead of the silver jubilee of His coronation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, scheduled to hold in April 2026 at the world headquarters of the church in Calabar, Cross River State.
Sources close to the BCS leadership said the appointments were announced last Sunday during a well-attended gathering of faithful, guests and dignitaries, where the spiritual leader personally reeled out the names and destinations of the pastoral envoys.
Many of those appointed are described as accomplished professionals, including academicians, senior clergymen, legal practitioners, bankers, politicians, medical experts and business leaders, selected to strengthen both the spiritual and administrative structures of the church abroad.
Among those posted to Russia are a former Rivers State Commissioner for Transport and businessman, Mr Ibinabo Michael West, who will serve as National Administrator, while Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, is appointed Bishop of Russia.
Professor Bassey Eyo Bassey of University of Calabar has been assigned to Venezuela, while a former Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Archbishop (Ntufam) Ekpenyong Iso, will serve in Poland.
Female vicars were also included in the postings. London-based Ronke Aluko was assigned to Botswana, MCS Imaobong Umoh to Argentina, while Her Eminence Lovina Umo-Effa, a noted politician, will serve in Algeria, reflecting what the church described as an inclusive leadership approach. Amongst many other women priest is a Ghanaian legal practitioner, Edith Mensa posted to Morocco as National Administrator.
According to church sources, the deployment of the envoys aligns with Olumba Obu’s role as head of the Unified Universal Theocratic Council and is strictly spiritual in nature, with no political undertone.
The mission, they said, is to preach peace, evangelise and promote unity across nations.
An official of the church, Apostle Alexander Effiong, explained that 60 of the appointees will function as National Administrators, while the remaining 47 will serve as Bishops in their respective countries.
He described the move as divinely inspired and critical to global harmony.
Addressing the envoys in Calabar, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu charged them to respect the laws of their host countries, establish the church formally and focus on soul-winning by emphasizing on peace and forgiveness. He urged them not to be discouraged by financial or logistical challenges, assuring them that divine provision would accompany their assignments.
Archbishop Fidelis Onah who is posted to Central African Republic said, “I have already made findings about logistics, economy, security, and other issues about the country. I will soon establish contact with our embassy there..”
Founded in 1956 in Calabar, the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star has grown from what adherents describe as “a mustard seed” into a global spiritual movement with a membership said to exceed two million, and with major cathedrals in cities such as Rochester and Dallas in the United States, London, and parts of South Africa, while innumerable worship places dot all South South, Southeast, Southwest, Abuja and
